Brazil’s Supreme Court cleared X to resume service in the country following a months-long feud with billionaire owner Elon Musk, who had previously resisted court orders. The platform, formerly known as Twitter, had been suspended in Brazil since August for not complying with hate speech moderation and failing to name a legal representative in the country. Musk started to reverse his position by complying with court orders, paying fines, and appointing a local representative. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled that X had met all necessary requirements to operate in Brazil and instructed the telecommunications regulator to allow the platform to come back online within 24 hours.
X expressed pride in returning to Brazil and emphasized its commitment to defending freedom of speech within the boundaries of the law. The dispute with Brazil was part of a series of confrontations between Musk and governments aiming to combat online misinformation. Brazil’s communication minister praised X for paying fines and complying with court orders, calling it a victory for the country. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva supported the suspension of X, stating that businesses in Brazil must follow local laws and criticizing Musk’s far-right ideology. Justices indicated they would reconsider the suspension if X complied with rulings, which the company initially deemed as illegal.
Brazil is X’s sixth-largest market globally, with about 21.5 million users as of April. During the suspension, many users migrated to rival platforms like Bluesky and Threads, owned by Meta. X had legal representation in Brazil until August when it closed its offices in response to court orders, triggering the suspension. The judicial battle also affected Starlink, another business controlled by Musk, whose accounts were temporarily frozen to cover fines imposed on X. A new X representative was appointed in September, and the company started blocking accounts ordered by the court. Earlier this month, X paid pending fines, paving the way for reinstatement in Brazil.
Overall, the dispute between X and Brazil’s Supreme Court highlighted the tensions between upholding freedom of speech and complying with local laws. Musk’s initial resistance to court orders ultimately led to the platform’s suspension in a key market. By complying with the rulings, appointing a local representative, and paying fines, X was able to resume operations in Brazil. The government viewed X’s compliance as a victory for the country’s laws and regulations. The situation also underscored the challenges faced by tech companies operating in multiple countries with varying regulations and legal requirements. Ultimately, X’s return to Brazil marked a resolution to a contentious legal battle that showcased the complexities of balancing freedom of speech with legal responsibilities.
